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Home › Articles › Health and Physical Changes › Blood Donation

Blood Donation

Donating Blood During Pregnancy

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

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There is always a need for blood, period. The American Association of Blood Banks, also known as the AABB, states that each day approximately 32,000 units of red blood cells are needed. Those who need and use this supply are people undergoing surgery, accident victims, trauma victims, and those who need treatment for leukemia, cancer and sickle cell disease, as well as other diseases. Because the best, most viable supplies of blood come from donors, it is to donors that the AABB turns to in an attempt to fill this need.

While there is always a need for blood, there are some people who are discouraged from donating. This includes those with blood borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, and those whose bodies are undergoing stress, recovery or change -- such as pregnancy.

Donating During Pregnancy
Pregnant mothers take very good care of themselves in order to keep their babies, themselves and their bodies healthy. But regardless of how healthy a pregnant woman is, they are asked to keep their blood to themselves. "The American Red Cross asks moms not to donate blood during pregnancy," says Dr. Rebecca Haley, senior medical officer for the American Red Cross in Rosslyn, Va. "Mother and baby must take first priority. Pregnant moms can not and should not donate blood because it depletes them of iron and other nutrients that are needed for the baby. It is true that pregnant women could develop anemia if they donate blood, due to the iron depletion."


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